“The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them…. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.” Isaiah 11:6.9.
The next three verses of Revelation are an encouragement and a warning.
“And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.
But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” Revelation 21:6.7.
These sins and their deviants are simply violations of God’s holy Law.
“For without (the city) are dogs (wicked men), sorcerers, and whoremongers and murderers, and idolators, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.” Revelation 22:15.
How important it is to understand that the Ten Commandments are still the standard for the Christian, not only the letter, but the spirit as well. We do not gain heaven by our obedience, but we certainly will not enter the blessed abode if we do not obey.
Our title to heaven is JESUS, and by faith in Him, our names are placed in the Book of Life.
Then as children of God, we receive the power to obey His commandments, and are thus fitted for heaven.
It is clear that a disobedient man or woman cannot enter the glorious city, for “there shall in no wise enter into it anything that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.” Revelation 21:27.
In this chapter, John sees the New Jerusalem in all its glory.
He is taken to “a great and high mountain”, where he sees “that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal;
And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel: On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates.” Revelation 21:10-13.
Now remember -- the prophecies originating in the Old Testament are re-interpreted by the apostles in the New. This is so important.
Listen to Ezekiel as he describes the future for a faithful nation.
“And the gates of the city shall be after the names of the tribes of Israel: three gates northward; one gate of Reuben, one gate of Judah, one gate of Levi…. And at the east gate… And at the south gate… At the west side four thousand and five hundred, with their three gates… It was round about eighteen thousand measures: and the name of the city from that day shall be, The Lord is there – Jehovah-shammah.” Ezekiel 48:31-35.
As we do not know the length of a measure, we cannot check, but we do know God inspired John to re-calculate Ezekiel’s measurements to ones we can understand.
This is a huge city.
“And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth, and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The breadth and the length and the height of it are equal. And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel.” Revelation 21:16.17.
We do not know the height of the angel, but a cubit is the length of a man’s arm from the elbow to the fingertips. A standard was set in many countries of varying lengths. (The Royal Egyptian cubit was 52.6 cm [20.6 inches]; the Hebrew cubit was 44.6 cm [17.58 inches] Noah’s ark is based on the royal Egyptian cubit)
We cannot be certain of the measurement of the wall, but we can calculate the size of the city. Ancient cities were always measured by their circumference, so the city is twelve thousand furlongs around its perimeter. One furlong is .221168 km (.125 miles), making the city 2414 kilometres (or 1500 miles) around its walls. Each side would be 3000 furlongs, which is 603.5 kilometres (or 375 miles) on each side. (In his gospel John says Bethany is 15 furlongs from Jerusalem, which is correct, about 3 kilometres)
As I said, it is a huge city.
But it is also the same measurement in height! Our imagination is at a loss.
If the Jews had been faithful, they would have received the blessing of all the Old Testament prophecies, but that which was promised to the Jewish nation will be fulfilled to spiritual Israel -- all who are grafted into Jesus Christ.
Today there is no distinction between Jew and Gentile – all are one in Christ. “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male or female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:28.
Most Christians acknowledge this as truth.
But certain groups still regard Israel as a separate viable religious people apart from the church.
Debate continues, even among Jews, as to the true meaning of Jewishness. The main problem is in believing Judaism is a religion that is still acceptable to God. The Bible makes it clear that Israel has been rejected as His chosen people, making all prophecies promised to them null and void.
The only promise that remains is for individual Jews, who accept Yeshua as the Messiah, to be grafted into the olive tree (Jesus Christ). Then they will inherit the same promises as Gentiles who are also grafted into the olive tree.
Living in Jerusalem is dangerous at this time in earth’s history, but not because of prophecy.
Moses told Israel, “And the Lord shall scatter thee among all people, from the one end of the earth even unto the other; and there thou shalt serve other gods, which neither thou nor thy fathers have known, even wood and stone.
And among these nations shalt thou find no ease, neither shall the sole of thy foot have rest: but the Lord shall give thee there a trembling heart, and failing of eyes, and sorrow of mind: And thy life shall hang in doubt before thee; and thou shalt fear day and night, and shalt have none assurance of thy life…” Deuteronomy 28:64-66. This has certainly come true for the nation of Israel.
God must abide by His decision against Israel for disobedience. “If thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God… all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee.” Deuteronomy 28:15.
However, although the kingdom has been taken from them, both the Father and the Son long for their blindness (in rejecting the Messiah) to come to an end.
Will it end?
Yes, when “the fulness of the Gentiles be come in (or has concluded).” Romans 11:25.
This will be under the power of the latter rain.
The Spirit of God will move over the Jewish to help them see that Jesus is their Messiah. He is Yeshua ha Mashiach. In all nations, Jews who have allowed God’s Spirit to work on their hearts will respond. (The Spirit in latter rain power will be moving over all earth’s vast inhabitants as well as the Jews)
And they will surrender with joy, looking by faith upon Him “whom they have pierced.” Zechariah 12:10. Yes, they will “mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son…”, but it will be a mourning unto salvation. Jesus said, “Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.” Matthew 5:4. And in that day, Jew and Gentile will truly be one in Jesus.
Let us return to the description of the holy city.
“And the building of the wall of it was of jasper; and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass.
And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald; The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst.” Revelation 21:18-20.
At first glance, most would know that sapphire is blue, emerald is green, sardius is orange. The dictionary tells me amethyst is violet or purple; topaz has various colours in the yellow range; jasper is a pale red, yellow or brown.
My 1828 Webster’s Dictionary lists many of them.
Chrysolite is a golden topaz; beryl can be gold or green; chalcedony can be a white agate. (Noah Webster wrote this particular dictionary for the sole purpose of standardising the meaning of words, especially as they relate to the King James Bible. Today words are being violated at a fast pace, even those used in the courts)
Leslie Hardinge, a Christian pastor, believed the stones of the foundation of the holy city were the same as the stones on the breastplate of the high priest. The jewel-studded breastplate was an important part of the holy garment.
“Foursquare it shall be being doubled; a span shall be the length thereof, and a span shall be the breadth thereof. And thou shalt set in it settings of stones, even four rows of stones: the first row shall be a sardius, a topaz, and a carbuncle: this shall be the first row. And the second row shall be an emerald, a sapphire, and a diamond. And the third row a ligure, an agate, and an amethyst. And the fourth row a beryl, and an onyx, and a jasper: they shall be set in gold in their inclosings.
And the stones shall be with the names of the children of Israel, twelve, according to their names, like the engravings of a signet; every one with his name shall they be according to the twelve tribes.” Exodus 28:16-21.
You can see why he believed the stones to be the same as the stones of the holy city, however, you will have noticed there are differences.
When he was in England, Pastor Hardinge determined to study the subject in one of the country’s prestigious libraries. No doubt under God’s blessing, the library had a very rare book on ancient gemstones. To his delight, he discovered that the stones of both were identical in their original names. (I do not have a list of these names as I was not able to study his manuscript, however, he told me personally of this experience. According to Webster’s, a ligure is an apple green opal or jacinth)
Can you imagine the foundational walls of the city, all sparkling with precious stones?
“And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass.” Revelation 21:21.
Pearls are so beautiful and delicate.
On earth, pearls are made deep in the ocean from a single grain of sand irritating an oyster. God does not need sand, an oyster, or irritation to make a pearl. He speaks and it is done.
And the streets are transparent gold.
What a city!
“And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof . And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it…. And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it.... And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.” Revelation 21:22.23.24.26. 22:5.
You may remember in a previous chapter, that those who “washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb… serve him (God) day and night in his temple…” Revelation 7:14.15.
The word for ‘temple’ in Greek is nah-os. It can mean a shrine or place of worship, and can simply mean the dwelling place of the One to reverence and worship. So when the redeemed worship God, they worship Him in His ‘dwelling place’. There is no separate temple for worship services, for the temple is where God dwells.
In this beautiful city, there is no need for artificial lighting because God is surrounded by light.
And God’s beloved Son is bathed in the glory of that omnipresent incandescence.
There will be a sun and moon outside the city, for the redeemed will mark their days and months by these great lights. Every month they will make their way to the tree of life, to eat of its living-giving fruit.
“And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the Lord.” Isaiah 66:23.
God will once again honour the Sabbath in His re-creation of the earth, and every single man, woman, and child will rejoice in going up to the holy city for worship.
“And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there.” Revelation 21:25.
There is one time when the gates will shut. Can you guess when this would be?
It will be when the resurrected lost are making plans to take the city. We do not know the exact moment the gates will be shut, but God’s people are to be fully protected from the fire that falls upon earth’s angry billions. As the whole globe will be a vast lake of fire, the gates need to be shut.
“And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.” Revelation 22:1.
“There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High. God is in the midst of her…” Psalm 46:4.5. (This is a picture of Jerusalem in its glory, but a mere shadow of the New Jerusalem in all its glory)
“In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.” Revelation 22:2.
This is the fruit of the tree of life. What will it be like? We cannot even begin to imagine. What varieties of fruit does it bear? How can one tree cater for millions of the redeemed? What will it taste like? And how will the leaves be used for healing?
The river and tree of life are also pictured in the Old Testament, although a little differently. They were to be part of this earth for the faithful Jewish people. Ezekiel saw it in vision.
“Now when I had returned, behold, at the bank of the river were very many trees on the one side and on the other. Then said he unto me, These waters issue out toward the east country, and go down into the desert, and go into the sea: which being brought forth into the sea, the waters shall be healed.
And it shall come to pass, that every thing that liveth, which moveth, whithersoever the rivers shall come, shall live: and there shall be a very great multitude of fish, because these waters shall come thither: for they shall be healed; and every thing shall live whither the river cometh…
And by the river upon the bank thereof, on this side and on that side, shall grow all trees for meat, whose leaf shall not fade, neither shall the fruit thereof be consumed: it shall bring forth new fruit according to his months, because their waters they issued out of the sanctuary: and the fruit thereof shall be for meat, and the leaf thereof for medicine.” Ezekiel 47:7-9. 12.
The principle of healing and life are clear.
“And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads.” Revelation 22:3.4.
And we shall see His face.
Those who are ready to meet Jesus will have “their Father’s name written in their foreheads.” Revelation 14:1. This means they will have His character.
“And he said unto me, ‘These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done. Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.” Revelation 22:6.7.
Jesus speaks encouragingly to John, “Behold, I come quickly… blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.” Revelation 22:7.
John is overwhelmed, and makes the mistake of falling down before the angel to worship. It is the second time he has done this, and the angel patiently reprimands him, “See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God.” Revelation 22:9.
Then the prophet is told, “Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand.” Revelation 22:10.
More than nineteen hundred years have passed since these words were written, and it seems a long time to us for the time to be ‘at hand’.
But as from 1798, when the book of Daniel was opened, God’s people have had greater understanding of the book of Revelation. And with the passing of every day, “the time is at hand”.
Soon the words, “He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still”, will be spoken from heaven and probation will close forever. Revelation 22:11.
Jesus says to John, “And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.” Revelation 22:12.13.
In red-letter Bibles, the following words have not been made red, however, Jesus could still be speaking until two verses later, when He definitely speaks again.
“Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city…. I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.” Revelation 22:14.16.
The last words of the Bible are an invitation, a warning, an encouragement, an appeal, and a benediction.
* The invitation
“And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” Revelation 22:17.
This is Christ’s invitation to you dear Reader.
Come to Jesus and accept His salvation, then give the invitation to others. If you or your family are to lie down in death, you can rest in Jesus, knowing that the “righteous is taken away from the evil to come.” Isaiah 57:1.
* The warning
“For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:
And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.” Revelation 22:18.19.
Refusing to believe is to take away from God’s words, and interpreting without Scriptural evidence, is adding to it. Modern Bibles leave out God’s words and substitute others. For instance, the New International Version has omitted 64,038 words of the King James Bible.
* The Encouragement
“He which testifieth these things saith, “Surely I come quickly. Amen.” Revelation 22:20.
* The Appeal
John cannot help adding his longing to see Jesus, and says, “Even so, come, Lord Jesus.” Revelation 22:20.
Is this your prayer too?
Below is a lovely hymn of the holy city called ‘No Eye has ever Seen’. Words and music written by the late John L Abbott, first verse.
“No eye has ever seen The beauty of Heaven;
No ear has ever heard Heav’n’s lovely song.
Nor to the human heart Has it been given
To grasp the joy that waits when we to Him belong.
There are no weeping eyes Up there in Paradise;
There is no pain nor death in yonder home.
But love and harmony continue forever,
And life will be complete When Jesus shall come…
Yes, we’ll worship Christ the king --- when Jesus shall come.
Do You Want to Know the Future?
http://www.lds-images.com/detail.asp?iPic=460&iType=32
No.29.
The concluding chapters of Revelation are so beautiful – the long-awaited heavenly abode.
“And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.” Revelation 21:1.
In the Bible, there are three heavens. The Hebrew word for ‘heaven’ and ‘heavens’ is shamayim, so it is the context of the whole Bible that gives the distinction.
The first heaven is our atmosphere, created on the second day. Genesis 1:6.
The second heaven is the starry heavens, beyond our milky way galaxy. Proxima Centauri, our closest neighbour outside the solar system, is 4.22 light years away, the distance light travels in four years. Beyond this are the many beautiful constellations, including Orion, with its Great Nebula. (Alpha Centauri A & B are both 4.37 light years)
The third heaven is God’s city and throne. “Thus saith the Lord, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool…” Isaiah 66:1. Paul was “caught up to the third heaven” in vision. 2 Corinthians 12:2.
John saw the first heaven – our polluted atmosphere – pass away. He also saw the first earth disappear, not its structure, but the world of sin -- gone forever.
In the beginning, the ocean did not exist. When God made land rise out of the waters, He left just rivers and lakes. Most of the original water covering the sphere became underground lakes and rivers. And much was transferred to the upper atmosphere. Genesis 1:6.7.
During the flood of Noah, this water was released, for “all the foundations of the great deep (were) broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened.” Genesis 7:11.
The earth was once again covered with water.
During the flood, much of the landmass and underground reservoirs were ripped apart, so that a large amount of water remained above ground. This gave us the oceans. (After the flood, the landmass was mainly joined together, but some time later, it was torn apart, forming the continents)
In the new earth, God will remake the land as it was in the beginning, and the sea will disappear.
Bible prophets liken the sea to nations, kindreds, tongues and people, and Isaiah qualifies them as “the wicked”, for they are “like the troubled sea.” Isaiah 57:20. (To those of us who love the ocean, it may seem disappointing, but God has promised we will be satisfied)
The following verse is one we have already studied, where we the holy city descends from heaven as a beautiful bride “adorned for her husband.” Revelation 21:2. Another verse calls the New Jerusalem “the bride, the Lamb’s wife.” Revelation 21:9. This is symbolic of the righteous saints who will then inhabit the city.
“And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.” Revelation 21:3.
The last part of the verse is God’s ultimate desire. It has always been His plan to dwell with His people. This was revealed when He told Moses to build the sanctuary. “And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them.” Exodus 25:8.
It will be fulfilled when God’s great dwelling place descends to the earth. Jesus will give back to His Father the authority given Him for the work of redemption, and God will once again be supreme Ruler. (See 1 Corinthians 15:24-28). And Jesus, having been crowned before the universe, will begin His rule upon earth as our glorious, wonderful King.
“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” Revelation 21:4.
What a wonderful promise!
Isaiah prophesied of this blessed time. “Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert.” Isaiah 35:5.6.
It seems too good to be true. But the assurance is given by the King of the universe, “Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.” Revelation 21:5.
After the wicked have been destroyed, and the fires of destruction are extinguished, God will recreate this earth in Edenic beauty.
Isaiah pictures that wonderful day. “For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind….
The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock… and I will rejoice in Jerusalem (New Jerusalem), and joy in my people: and the voice of weeping shall be no more heard in her, nor the voice of crying… before they call, I will answer…” Isaiah 65: 17.25.19.24.
Contents Revelation 21, 22 Next Study